Big Debate: Dubai women better drivers than men?

Motorists in the emirate have surprisingly strong views

By

Veathika Jain

PublishedWednesday, January 23, 2013

Of the several statistics that enlightened us at the close of 2012, the numbers that generated some amount of debate were accidents caused by women.

Statistics of the Dubai Traffic Police showed that in 2012, male drivers caused 1,330 accidents, resulting in the death of 116 people and injuring 2,161 others last year, while female drivers caused 138 incidents, resulted in 5 deaths and injuring 220 people.

Stats of course without perspective are only fuel for a biased argument. In an emirate that lives on its wheels that argument is worth taking a closer look at.

Emirates 24|7 posed the question to both women and male drivers in the emirate: Who is the better driver? Woman or man?

The good news either way is that the Dubai Traffic Police campaign that aims at zero accident per 100,000 population by 2020 seems to be working.

Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Director of General Administration of Traffic, Dubai, told Emirates 24|7 in an earlier report: "The fall in the number traffic accidents is a positive sign that proves we are moving to achieve Dubai 2020 vision of zero deaths per 100 thousand."

Last year saw only 122 deaths as compared to 134 in 2011, which is a 9 per cent drop from that of the previous year, he said and added that the awareness campaign will continue to educate motorists about safe driving.